The Book

Published by Hachette Australia in October 2016, Trade Paperback $32.99, ebook $17.99.

‘Quentin is a hero of mine. Probably the toughest man I have ever met. Read this book and rethink how hard you think your life is. It is a liberating experience to face life through his eyes.’ — Russell Crowe, Actor.

When he was a kid, Quentin Kenihan loved Superman. Ironic, really. That guy is a perfectly formed man of steel, while Quentin is not-so-perfectly formed, more chalk than steel. Quentin didn’t need kryptonite to reveal his weakness – born with a rare bone disorder, Osteogenesis imperfecta – his bones broke all on their own. When he was seven, Mike Willesee made a documentary about Quentin. Australians fell in love with his wit, humour and never-say-die attitude. Over the years he grew up before our eyes. But there was a dark side to his painful disability and life in the public eye. The true story was never told … until now. By the time he was 18, Quentin had an extensive drug addiction. They were dark days, with boozy blackouts and thoughts of suicide. Battling his way through, Quentin went to rehab, cleaned up and, as he says, ‘stopped feeling sorry for himself’. Now Quentin is determined to live life the best he can. Just turned 40, he is a filmmaker, stand-up comedian, radio host, actor and film critic; he’s hung out with Angelina, accidently ripped Jennifer Lopez’s dress, acted alongside Charlize Theron, interviewed Julia Gillard, all the while showing that living in a wheelchair doesn’t mean staying still. This honest, at times heartbreaking, memoir is a story to inspire others to chase their dreams. Quentin Kenihan is living proof that superheroes don’t need capes, just the right attitude!

Quentin Kenihan was born with Osteogenesis imperfecta, which meant his bones broke all the time among other things. At seven, he became famous because of the Mike Willesee documentary QUENTIN. Australians fell in love with Quentin for his wit and unique take on life and over the years he drifted in and out of public view for reasons this book will reveal. Quentin is a disability activist, filmmaker, stand-up comedian, radio host, actor and film critic. Quentin’s stage show ‘Quentin: I’m 40 … Now What’ sold out at the Adelaide Festival and there are plans to bring it to the eastern states. He appeared in the latest Mad Max film Fury Road and is currently the film reviewer for ABC 891 Adelaide radio breakfast program. Quentin lives in Adelaide.